Sunday, April 18, 2010

Hey Girls,

How are you all? What brings you joy? Happiness? What makes you sad or makes you struggle? Are you in a good patch now or inching along waiting for the trouble to end? God knows what your needs are and he will provide for them.

I was reading my Bible this morning and came across some very interesting things that I believe it's easy to lose sight off. I was reading the Message and that version just seemed to add a little extra clarity sometimes. So here are some encouraging verses:

Matthew 5:5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."


And then in Matthew 6: 30-33 "What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with gettingso you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."


Matthew 6: 7-13 says  "(Religious people) They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply."


This is nice to know eh? Be content with what we have because God knows our needs and will provide. It kinda struck me, we are often so concerned with what we don't have and getting that through our own initiative that we don't even let God provide for us. He knows what we need. We don't need to keep chasing after things but step back and let him take care of us. It's hard because there is a lot of patience involved in that, something we often don't do very well.


I also liked the reminder of praying simply. Further on in chapter 7, it talks about how we shouldn't play games with God but be direct with our requests. Ever tried to use reverse psychology on God? Or pray for something while we really wanted another thing, like asking for compassion and thinking that by being more 'spiritual' God will reward us with the IPOD we want?? You know, ever tried something like that? We can't trick God. Why waste time? He always knows what we want even before we ask. And it's also comforting to know that just because someone in leadership tells us a certain way to experience God- it's not a formula. There is no equation to getting more of God. He gives as he wants. We don't have to pray a certain way or do a particular thing. That's all religious rules and nonsense. God just wants us to come to him in honesty.


Feeling lighter? Less stressed about God and stuff? I hope so. Our Heavenly Father will take care of us, just let him and know that you are a daughter of the King, very valued, special and beautiful.


Matthew 5:48 "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."





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